Butler Gallery, Evans' Home John's Quay, Kilkenny R95YX3F Ireland+353 56 774 1169+ Add websiteImprove this listing
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Food and ambience
Deli, Contemporary, Diner, Street Food, Soups, Dining bars
Details
About
Contemporary art gallery cafe in the heart of Kilkenny city with an oasis of outdoor seating in our large garden terrace. We serve homemade lunch, brunch, treats all made fresh daily in our kitchen and perfect with a speciality coffee from Irish roasters.
PRICE RANGE
€5.00 – €9.00
CUISINES
Deli, Contemporary, Diner, Street Food, Soups, Dining bars
Meals
Lunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Delivery, Private Dining, Parking Available, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
48 reviews
Excellent
38
Very good
3
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Naoimh
London24 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
Fantastic café in Kilkenny with a bright and airy atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food.
The outdoor glass dining pods were absolutely lovely - it felt like we were in our own private bubble yet staff were still very attentive.
The food definitely complemented the beautiful setting, and was surprisingly reasonably priced for the standard and portion size.
Could not recommend a visit enough, and we cannot wait to be back!
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aism
Dublin73 contributions
Sept 2021 • friends
We booked as a group of 18 for a hen party brunch. Sharon gave us set menus in advance to review and tweak if needed.. Service was excellent and so reasonably priced. Would definitely book again gorgeous food and service
Written 11 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DC10
Abu Dhabi12 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
After reading a couple of great reviews about Muse Cafe, I was delighted that I was able to reserve one of their outdoor pods online for lunch today. It was the perfect end to a great weekend in Kilkenny. I ordered The Meatlovers Flatbread. It was delicious and would have been perfect for sharing. My friend had the Big Al’s Breakfast Bagel which was perfect after the hectic Bank Holiday weekend (but she did not share😜)
The staff were all so friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was fabulous and the pods were lovely and cosy, especially when there were a few showers. I was too full from my meal, but the desserts that were coming out for other customers looked amazing. It was a real treat and as I said at the beginning, the perfect ending to the weekend. I will definitely be adding Muse into my itinerary again the next time I’m back in Kilkenny!!
Written 2 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shabot
Thank you for such a lovely review. We really appreciate it. Hope to see you again soon!
Written 3 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gemma F
9 contributions
Aug 2021 • family
Booked a pod and was expecting a somewhat superior experience to regular takeaway - I often buy coffee and cake from here and they are consistently good. However, on this occasion, I left feeling very underwhelmed. The brunch menu is very limited and on mentioning my mother is gluten free, waiter suggested the granola, saying it was gluten-free. It is not. Waiter also did not know if dukkah contained gluten (cereal allergen was specified on
the Green Bowl salad). Offered to ask the chef but this is basic staff training and had my mother eaten the granola he recommended she would have been ill. She ordered the Green Bowl without the egg and dukkah as this seemed the likely source of the cereal
allergen. It came in a cardboard box. When queried, the waiter said the ‘bowls hadn’t arrived yet’. Her green tea came in a takeaway cup. For a cafe that likes to virtue signal its green credentials, using takeaway items when plainly unnecessary is bizarre. I had expected the food to be served on crockery in the pod. My glass of wine took ages to arrive. Food was fine. Pod blinding in sunshine as sun bounces off white table. A canvas roof screen would solve the issue. Waiter nowhere to be found to order dessert. Had to go to hatch to pay and in fairness the young chap there offered to get the manager when I told him I was less than impressed with my experience. I declined. He then forgot to deduct my €10 pod deposit from my bill. I had to ask if bill was correct. All in all, shambolic and unsatisfactory. I’ll be back for takeaway coffee but will be dining elsewhere for lunch.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllyC
Kilkenny3 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
Not at all impressed with our visit here today. Very slow service. We weren't told when paying for our food that we had to book a pod. Although we were asked if we were sitting in or for take away. We were moved from the pod we sat in out of the rain to the table with no over head cover. 5 pods on site. 9 tables outside with one small tent cover over 3 tables.. Hand sanitiser on tables inside in pods. None on outdoor tables and also nobody wiping down tables. Good was terrible. Came out cold. Eggs for the eggs benedict were over cooked hollandaise sauce wasn't great either. Ordered toast and sausages off the kids menu. Toast was rock hard and cold. Couldn't even bite into it without tearing gums. Sausages were okay tho .Would avoid a visit for food here..especially with price!!! Not worth it.
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue H
Dublin3 contributions
Jul 2021 • family
We stopped in to Muse Coffee & Food as it was listed on Visitkilkenny.ie as one of the best places for outdoor dining and it was in a handy location in the town. We were delighted we did as the visit was so enjoyable from start to finish - the outdoor dining pods were a real crowd pleaser - so pretty, fresh and clean and it kept us sheltered from an unexpected summer shower. The staff were attentive and professional and the food was top notch. The menu catered for all appetites from man sized sandwiches to scones, cakes and pastries all of which were so fresh. The coffee was delicious and the kids are still talking about the mammoth hot chocolates they had. All in all I found it to be excellent value for money and it really added to our break. We hope to visit again.
Written 30 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shabot
Thank you Sue, we loved having you and your gorgeous family. Hope you had a wonderful time in kilkenny and we look forward to welcoming you again
Written 1 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jen M
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • friends
Visited Muse at the weekend with friends for a surprise special occasion and it was just
P E R F E C T 😀 we had prebooked a pod and had to reschedule the time earlier in the week, the owner Sharon was so helpful and changed our booking with ease.
I have been to Muse a good few times and it’s such a beautiful place in a lovely setting, definitely one of the nicest in Kilkenny. This was my first time in a Pod and what a really great idea they are!
Philip looked after us and he was so so lovely. I couldn’t praise him enough! Very attentive, friendly and chatty- he was just super 🤩 he even spoke a little Irish to us ☘️👏🏼☘️ he looked after us so well.
The food was beautiful, I had the Als Breakfast Bap it was delicious. Finished off with one of the ice cream sandwiches 😍 really really lovely. My friends raved about their food too.
My friend got a lovely surprise and it was too off when Philip brought her a special dessert. Really thoughtful gesture. We had a beautiful day 😀
Muse is a little gem, it’s clear the owner and staff work very hard to make it the gem it is. Can’t wait to visit again soon 😍
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary_Scarecrow
County Cork30 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
My girlfriends and I were in Kilkenny for the weekend and took the opportunity to visit Butler Gallery and this fabulous cafe for brunch. The staff are well trained, efficient, very polite and attended to all of our needs. A wide selection of sweet and savoury treats available and it’s great to see vegan food included as the norm rather than an afterthought.
We had sausage rolls (meat and vegan) and croque monsieur, followed by some sweet treats of carrot cake, Moroccan orange cake and coconut and lemon muffin. Everything was delicious! Definitely worth a visit.
Written 28 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oisin McGarrity
Dublin2 contributions
Jul 2023 • business
Sharon and the team provided catering for day two of our wedding and start to finish were brilliant to deal with.
Sharon looked after everything and brought food to the venue in the Smithwicks factory, not so much as a crumb left and guests all raves about it. Thanks again for all your help.
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eilish H
Stradbally7 contributions
Aug 2021 • solo
I visited Muse coffee today and oh what a treat! Fabulous food, coffee, staff and the grounds it is set in just makes this the best coffee spot in the city. There is something for everyone both kids and adults, with gluten free, vegan and wine options. I would highly recommend and cannot wait to return. Their pancakes in particular are delicious with both sweet and savoury options. If it’s raining just book ahead and sit in one of their beautiful glass pods and take in the fabulous gallery and architecture. You won’t be disappointed 10/10! Well done guys keep up the hard work you’re doing a fabulous job!
Written 20 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frank k
Dublin1 contribution
Jul 2021 • none
The location was nice and the staff were friendly but the food was not nice. The pastrami was suspect, hard and virtually unchewable. The cheese was melted into the warm sauerkraut and rocket. We can only assume they microwave before bringing it out? They deny this in other reviews.
A place to avoid for food perhaps but do visit the Butler Gallery.
Written 4 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shabot
Thank you for your feedback, we did indeed speak at the time of your visit and I had explained to you the pastrami we use is a premium product from a local artisan butcher here in kilkenny. We are now ensuring we slice the pastrami with the grain which guarantees it is tender. It is still in a toasted hot sandwich however with melted cheese. We can't do anything about your other complaint that it tasted like beef, as pastrami is in fact beef.
But we thank you for the kind words about our staff and location.
Written 6 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JJ Food
5 contributions
Nov 2021 • couples
We were here a few months back and the food was amazing. Came again and it was disgusting. We got the eggs Benedict. The poached eggs were cold and way over cooked, the bread was a rock you could break a tooth on it and the hollandaise was basically scrambled egg. I don’t know what has happened to the food but it’s an utter disappointment
Written 23 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aoife K
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • friends
The setting and the staff were lovely but the food was a disgrace. It was just microwaved and came out cold. Cold poached eggs, cold pancakes. We were very disappointed. It was a brunch fiasco with a premium price. We were extremely disappointed. It took 50 mins to come out to us and it still came out cold.
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shabot
Hi Aoife so sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your food. We don't microwave our food, it's freshly made in our kitchen by our chef each day.
Our food would never take 50 mins, we are a fast casual cafe and as I was there myself the day you visited, I can day it absolutely did not take 50 mins for your food. We monitor food timings very closely.
I do hope you come back again in the future and we thank you for your kind words about our staff.
Written 27 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Niamh M
1 contribution
May 2023 • friends
I can’t compliment Sharon and her team more. We had brunch delivered to us for 15 people for a hen party and all our guest were so so impressed. Great selection of choices and all very affordable. Would definitely recommend if you’re in Kilkenny!
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irelandfood
11 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
a great return to normality. we booked a pod and had a super time. we were really well looked after by the staff and it was just so relaxing to sit in that courtyard amid the views of medieval ruins and walls. i had the reuben which was really excellent- new york deli style, but with local ingredients. Coffee was great too. a definite must-visit and definite will-return
Written 6 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shabot
Thank you for taking the time to review your visit! Glad you enjoyed everything, see you again soon.
Written 6 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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